What Makes Delaware County Worth Visiting?
Falls in Ridley Creek State Park
I grew up living right on the border of Delaware County. I would drive through there just about every day of my life. As a result, I have quite a lot of experience with all the incredible sights and places to go to. In this article, we’ll go over what makes the county so interesting and why you should visit.
Brandywine Battlefield
First, we need to talk about the Brandywine Battlefield. It’s a historic landmark that marks the location where, you guessed it, the Battle of Brandywine was fought during the Revolution. What makes the site so interesting to visit isn’t just the battlefield though. George Washington’s headquarters are still preserved there, and you can go inside and see a recreation of his lodgings. If you’re even remotely interested in American history, this should be one of the first places you visit.
Washington's Headquarters at Brandywine Battlefield
Brandywine River Museum
Another great place just packed with history is the nearby Brandywine River Museum. The museum curates some of the best of the local art that has been created, including a huge collection of art from the famous local artist N.C. Wyeth. Every year around the time of the holidays, they bring out an incredible model train exhibit known for being huge and amazingly entertaining for not only kids but adults of all ages.
Ridley Creek State Park
Why not venture out to Ridley Creek State Park? You’ll find it is easily one of the one relaxing places in visit no matter where you’re from. You can visit the beautiful creek, enjoy a picnic in the park, or even go visit the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, which was lovingly restored using nothing but 18th-century equipment to perfectly recreate how it looked during when it was in real use. The location itself is staffed with professional re-enactors that, coupled with the restoration itself, will allow you to practically travel back in time.
Slinky Toy Historical Marker
For something more silly but assuredly still interesting, go visit the Slinky Toy Historical Marker. That’s right, THE slinky, the famous toy that every child loves. The slinky was invented and manufactured right here in Delaware County until 1965. While a man invented the toy itself, did you know that a woman was the one who made it famous? Richard James worked for the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1943 and came up with the idea for the toy when watching a spring that had fallen continue to move of its own accord. His wife Betty thought of the name and even later brought the company out of financial ruin after Richard left her in 1960. If it wasn’t for her, you’d likely never have heard of the toy.
Slinky Sign at Baltimore Pike and Springfield Rd. in Clifton Heights
Local Wineries
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite thing to do in the whole county. Visit wineries. Delaware county has two wineries, including The Inn at Grace Winery and the Penn Woods Winery. Both locations offer incredible wine that can single-handedly make your visit to the county worthwhile. They even offer proper wine tours, with everything you would expect from them. Sample incredible wine, learn all there is to know about the winemaking process and enjoy the breathtaking sights of the vineyards themselves.
N.C. Wyeth’s Home Studio
To wrap up the historical portion of the tour, there’s N.C. Wyeth’s home studio. He is most famous for his illustrations in the popular children’s book Treasure Island. It is conveniently located just five minutes away from the aforementioned River Museum. You will be taken on a guided journey through not only his career as a painter but also his personal life.
Conclusion
As you can see, Delaware county has many beautiful places to visit. From historical sites that changed American history, to art museums dedicated to the finest painters in the area, relaxing creeks to visit, and wineries to make the visit memorable. It’s no wonder that Delaware country is one of the most interesting places to visit in the whole of southeastern PA.
If you’re planning on visiting soon, why not pick up some of our unique, locally themed apparel? We have great t-shirts that will let everybody know you're a fan!